Comparative analysis of biological and ecological differentiation of Anemone palmata L. (Ranunculaceae) in the western Mediterranean (France and Spain): an assessment of rarity and population persistence

The western Mediterranean geophyte Anemone palmata L. is one of the most endangered angiosperm taxa in France. The biological and ecological characteristics of French populations are contrasted with those of populations from near the centre of the species distribution in east Spain. A Correspondence Analysis discriminates the French and Spanish populations according to substrate and the composition of the plant communities where they grow. The karyological study reveals that east Spanish plants are autotetraploid, whilst the French are all diploid. In addition, morphological differences were registered, Spanish plants generally being more vigorous. French populations consist mostly of senile plants, without or with very low rates of sexual reproduction, whereas the populations from Spain include all age groups with an important percentage of juvenile plants. The main factors which could affect the French populations are habitat destruction and modification of plant communities due to land-abandonment. Conservation measures should be supported by immediate protection of the French localities and habitats to prevent the total decline of this rare species.  © 2002 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2002, 140 , 95–114.